[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 110 (Monday, July 29, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S6007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ROBERT S. MUELLER

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert S. 
Mueller, III, and to thank him for his 12 years of service as the 
Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.
  Director Mueller had just settled into his office just a week before 
the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. These attacks on the Nation 
affected us all, including in my home State of Maryland. In the 
terrible aftermath of the events of that day, we grieved together. On 
9/11, we were caught unprepared, searching for answers and scrambling 
to find a way to prevent future attacks.
  After 9/11, the FBI was charged with a heavy responsibility: disrupt 
terrorist plots before they happen by identifying, tracking, and 
dismantling terrorists on U.S. soil. During his term, Director Mueller 
has provided steadfast leadership, guiding the FBI as it transformed 
from a traditional domestic law enforcement agency into a global 
counterterrorism and crime-fighting force. His guidance has helped keep 
Americans safe from terrorist attacks here at home and abroad. But such 
leadership is nothing new to Director Mueller. Before he led the FBI, 
he served our Nation as a decorated marine in Vietnam, and as a Federal 
prosecutor who tackled cases ranging from the bombing of Pan Am Flight 
103 to the prosecution of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega.
  Director Mueller has shown unwavering commitment to the FBI and its 
mission. He is the only Director to serve a full 10-year term, and then 
serve another 2 years. From day one, he has fought to make sure the 
hard-working men and women at the FBI have the tools they need to carry 
out their extraordinary responsibilities. As chairwoman of the Senate 
Appropriations subcommittee that funds the FBI and as a member of the 
Intelligence Committee, I am proud to call Director Mueller my 
steadfast partner in that fight. Together, we have worked to provide 
the FBI with the capabilities to stop terrorists before they attack us 
here at home, go after schemers and scammers who prey on hard-working 
American families, prevent cyber terrorists from devastating our 
technology infrastructure, and catch sexual predators who seek to harm 
our children.
  Lastly, Director Mueller has strong integrity. He speaks truth to 
power, even when the truth is unpopular or inconvenient. He is a 
straight talker--when he tells me that the FBI needs more tools to 
carry out its national security and crime-fighting duties, I find a way 
to help him get those tools because I trust his judgment, and I trust 
his leadership. He answered the call to service when President Bush 
asked him to serve as FBI Director in 2001. And he answered the call of 
President Obama when asked to serve 2 more years.
  We live in extraordinarily critical times, and face threats from both 
within and outside our Nation. But over the past 12 years we knew that 
having Director Mueller at the FBI meant that one of the tested 
``nighthawks'' was guarding our Nation's national security. I speak for 
all Americans when I say that we have been privileged to have such a 
committed and dedicated public servant leading the FBI. I will miss my 
steadfast partner and friend and, above all, wish to send him a 
heartfelt thank you.

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